Take Time to Pause and Smell the Roses

Life has been busy lately so this week’s Five-Minute Friday prompt, Pause, seems very appropriate.

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This week our family is visiting Disneyland. It’s the first visit for our 13-month-old grandson and his dad, our son-in-law. The rest of us, including our 11-year-old grandson, have visited many times and, of course, have our favorite things to see and do.

One of the things I have tried to do this time is pay less attention to what I am seeing and more time watching the boys and seeing the fun through their eyes. Pausing to take the time to slow down and appreciate the absolute joy of a child.

Watching our littlest one dance with excitement when he saw his favorite Goofy come riding down the street in the light-up parade or his big brother happily using his camera to get just the right shots of the Star Wars display so he can print them to display in his room are the memories I will treasure.

Watching the joy in their faces as they watch something as simple as a family of geese wander through the park or a duck family swimming in a pond help we adults slow down and recognize how often we don’t notice the little things in our fast-paced world.

It’s amazing how exciting and joyful life can be when you look through the eyes of a child. To see their innocence, their joy, and trust that life gives us a new adventure every day. To see their faith that the grown-ups who love them will always be there to take care of them (and answer ALL of their questions) and that God is there to take care of us all.

These are the important things in life, we should pause and appreciate.